Resilient Waterways
Program

Water is the foundation of every thriving ecosystem. Utah’s rivers, streams, wetlands, and reservoirs sustain wildlife, agriculture, and outdoor recreation. Our Water Program works to ensure Utah has healthy, connected waterways that provide clean, adequate water for all—supporting fish and wildlife habitat, healthy communities, and fair access for hunters, anglers, farmers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

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We’ve lost our connection to what healthy streams should look like

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People are pretty used to seeing channelized streams that have these steep, incised banks with vegetation you wouldn’t find in a riparian area or wetland growing right up against the stream.

 

Human uses have changed our river systems. Over the past 150 years we’ve been very focused on how to get water from A to B as quickly as possible. And that’s gotten us through the last 150 years in the west.

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What We're Relearning

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Healthy streams look messy! They have side channels, wetlands, and pools. Not only this, they have built up debris and obstacles the water has to move around. (Like beaver dams.) This complexity supports more resilient waterways. 

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Restoring and supporting our waterways natural processes builds resilience into our water systems by spreading water out and slowing it down. This is often referred to as Process-Based Restoration: a science-based approach to supporting the natural processes of a stream.

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Wildfire: Process Based Restoration structures keep more water on the landscape, creating moist areas that can slow the spread and reduce the severity of wildfire. This creates important refuge for wildlife and firefighters.

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Drought: Process Based Restoration slows water down, raises water levels, and helps it soak into surrounding soils, keeping streams and wetlands wetter for longer during dry periods. This higher water table can also support more productive vegetation and create moist, green areas across the landscape.

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Flooding: By slowing and spreading water, Process Based Restoration can reduce the speed and force of high flows. Structures help distribute water across the floodplain, reducing concentrated flows and creating more stable stream systems.

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Water pollution: Process based restoration can slow water enough for sediment and nutrients to settle out while supporting wetland and streamside vegetation that can filter and absorb pollutants. This helps improve water quality and creates healthier habitat for wildlife.

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Why It Matters

Utah is one of the driest states in the nation, and the pressures on its water systems are growing. Pollution, overuse, drought, and development threaten the quality and quantity of water that people and wildlife depend on. Without healthy waterways, we risk losing critical habitat, recreation opportunities, and agricultural resilience.

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What We're Doing​

Restoring Healthy Waterways

• We're building back awareness of how much our streams have changed. We spotlight the threats facing Utah’s waters and identify actionable solutions to ensure flowing, clean water for wildlife and Utah's communities. Through media, events, and education, we help the public understand what’s at stake and how to get involved.

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Advocating for Conservation-Based Water Policy

• We engage in policy discussions, comment on regulation reviews, and advocate for laws and decisions that protect natural stream flows, aquatic ecosystems, and water quality for all users.

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Building Strategic Partnerships

• We collaborate with the Utah Division of Water Quality, the EPA, and local water managers to implement science-based, wildlife-friendly water policies. These partnerships drive coordinated action across jurisdictions and sectors.